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Critics who have seen episodes seem to be positive, I'm also looking forward to it. A Simon/Pelecanos show is must-watch for me, and then add in Michelle MacLaren directing the pilot, Maggie Gyllenhaal apparently giving an A+ performance ... and of course noted English PhD James Franco in the mix, sure why not?!

Couldn't sleep, so I ended up watching the pilot just now. Great stuff. Honestly, Bald Move should look into picking it up; even if it's just a half assed cast.

James Franco is the weak link (or should I say, links. ha ha) so far, but I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Other than that I won't be surprised if this one goes down as a classic given the subject matter, grittiness, and attention to detail. The scene at the very end of the pilot really solidified it for me. I was afraid they weren't going to jump right into just how fucking awful street pimps are. From the looks of it, they're going to give as nuanced and objective of a view as possible, but seriously, pimps are the fucking worst. Trying to sugar coat them in any way is unnacceptable for a drama.

I really liked it. I can't stand most shows set in the 60s and 70s, because they turn the era into a cliche of setting. This is the first show in a long while that I can recall the 70s feeling like something lived in, rather than decoration. I normally hate Franco, and here he's not on my nerves. But I can see the Twins part getting messy.

When you have this caliber talent - Maclaren, Simon, Gyllenhal - I bet the level of quality continues throughout.

I don't know how Emily Meade lounging around topless jives with David Simon's avowed desire not to titillate, but somehow I'm willing to forgive it.

Anyways, I'm pretty excited that they're going into such detail about the actual craft of making and distributing "films." I was expecting it to stay more on the cultural/legal side of things, but the actual technological and commercial innovation around the industry promises to be interesting, and not something we usually get from Simon's work (that I can remember.)

I don't think so, he has a real badge to show his girls what they look like. For situations exactly like that turned up on Sunday. Supposedly it was a cop, but he was plain clothes AND putting her in the back of a regular car.

I am really enjoying it, especially the fourth episode, which had more of the female perspective (the Candy and Ruby scene where they talk about their dead colleague was particularly poignant). It feels authentic to me, but what do I know -- I arrived after the Disneyfication of Times Square. But the show does feel almost like it has smell-o-vision; in fact, I feel a little dirty after I watch. I am already heavily invested in Darlene, and I worry that she might be a tragic character. Maggie Gyllenhaal is excellent, as is most of the cast.

I detest actors playing twins, and I am never not distracted by knowing that's James Franco in two roles. It takes me out of the moment. And the Abby character looks and seems like the most conventional character, but other than that, it's an interesting assortment of characters and stories.

If all else fails, I am here for Darlene and Larry discussing classic cinema.

- This motherfucker pays you to watch movies with him? Damn. What movie was it?

- I forget the name. Something with this this woman who does everything for her brat daughter. And the last time, it was one where this man in old-time France, he gets his head cut off in place of a another man.

- Mmm, "A Tale in Two Cities."

- Yeah, that one.

- It's a good flick. I seen that.

- Pshh, at the end, when he's strong for the young girl, and she's gonna die, too, I cried like a baby. You know.

Finally finished S1. Wow! I could not make it through Treme, but everything about the Deuce just makes we want to live in that world (which would probably suck). I feel like I'm almost back in The Wire.

After watching S1, Michelle MacLaren is confirmed as my favorite director. At least for TV. Her resume is just jaw-dropping (Breaking Bad, Saul, Thrones, Westworld, The Deuce). I'm pretty sure quality is going to be there when her name is attached.

James Franco - He was an actor I was prepared not to like going into this show. Especially after watching Ewan Macgregor pull the same thing last season on Fargo. But, by the time I got to Ep 2, I found myself hating Frankie and loving Vincent. That I could even tell which was which, just by glancing at their expressions and body language, told me Franco was doing some impressive work.

The Pimps - Obviously, like with the Wire's drug dealers, the pimps are predators and not to be admired. But I have to admit, CC, Larry, and Rodney...I felt something for them. Especially, as the season went on. It was interesting to see the impact that the police and lawmakers had on them economically. Not unlike Hamsterdam.

The Ladies - I don't have anything to say other than it's heartbreaking at times, and encouraging at times to know that things might get better for some of them.

The rest of the cast brings their A game. David Simon is a genius, and it all comes together beautifully.

Does anyone know if the guys did a Bald Move TV to wrap up S1? If not, @Jim and @A_Ron_Hubbard would you consider a S1 wrap-up before S2 starts to get people primed.

My favorite TV shows are the ones where Im caught off guard. Season 2 of The Leftovers is a perfect example. As was Breaking Bad. I got it from The Deuce as well. Not the whole show even though I thought it was a great return to form after Treme...but there's that scene later in the series when Method Man and Maggie G. were on the corner where MM was trying to her to come work for him and she refuses...the back and forth and emotional depth really left me, for lack of a better term, gobsmacked . Hopefully I can cram in a re watch before season 2. Really looking forward to the coverage.